Jalapeño Cheddar Cornmeal Waffles

Sometimes things just don’t work out.

Logically, I know that. I understand that I won’t be 100% successful in everything I do. Really, I do know that. However, I happen to be super dramatic so sometimes I tend to go from one extreme to the other.

I have had several, several recipe flops lately. Most of them have just been near misses. Maybe the flavor was right but the texture was a bit off, or I need to adjust the cooking temp or time and try again. Or some of them turned out great, but because I was also binge watching The Good Wife while I was cooking I can’t remember if I put 1 egg in or 2, or did I add the vanilla extract? It is on the counter but I don’t remember doing it? URGH! Which means I have to do it all over again.

Some of them, actually several of them, ended up being total disasters. Okay, I am going to be honest with you. I can handle approximately one true disaster a month before I start questioning my entire identity. (I told you I am dramatic) So, last weekend I was just cooking my little heart out and one after another my recipes failed me. First, it was a granola bar that would break your tooth, a smoothie that ended up looking like muddy water, a chicken and green pea pasta dish that tasted fantastic but ended up looking lime green (that one I really don’t understand).

I stood in my kitchen, all by myself and declared defeat. It was official. I had lost my mojo.

I poured the muddy water smoothie down the drain, dumped the granola bars in the trash, washed the dishes and waited for Mr. Maebell to get home. Later that night, I served the lime green pasta for dinner (covered with a nice layer of Parmesan and dim lighting to ensure he wouldn’t see the actual color of the food he was eating) and I told him of my troubles.

He listened intently, furrowed brow and all, to show his empathy for my situation. He waited until I was done venting and he simply said “Tomorrow will be better.”

Tomorrow will be better? Wait…what? Vent, fume, huff, puff. I don’t care what you do just show some frustration! Can’t you tell I’m upset! This is pretty much a crisis here!

I HAVE LOST THE WILL TO COOK!

You know what, everything was fine. Tomorrow was better. We woke up, drank some coffee, and I made these crazy waffle breakfast sandwiches. And all was right with the world.

I could tell you that I should just chill when I get frustrated. Which I probably should. I could give you some inspirational story about how I realized it is silly to have a melt down over granola bars. But the thing is, I don’t think it is silly…I think that being true to yourself, in all forms, is important. If coming up with the very best blueberry granola bar is important to you have a melt down when it doesn’t work. Then pick yourself up and try again, and keep trying until you don’t just have it right, you have it spot on perfect.

Life is a series of goals. You set a goal and either defeat it or let it defeat you. You just have to decide which side you want to be on.